Is anyone up for a ‘be more organised/sort your life out’ style thread?

[ClownTent]

I feel like the last three years have been so busy and hectic that I haven’t been keeping it together. Had DS, DP had breakdown, I had an awful year of depression and still suffer with anxiety now, quit job, new job, DP still unwell, dad died and on and on.

I’m overweight, always undergroomed, badly organised financially and my life is running away with me. I’m largely positive by nature but do love a good list!

I want to lose weight, get fit, be in a better position financially. I’m going to break my days down into food, exercise, money, house and something nice, so...

Food - bad day, all the carbs and all the chocolate.

Exercise - 8 hours in the office including commute so nothing and no more than 4K steps either. Did do 30 minutes weeding though. DP at his mums tonight so no chance to go for a walk after DS is in bed.

Money - unexpected outgoings thanks to me forgetting to cancel a subscription to taste card. Got cash for expenses at work, no spend day otherwise apart from postage for some photos that were otherwise free.

House - need to water plants and tidy toys away once DS is asleep.

Something nice - I’m going to watch buffy in silence with fresh orange and tonic water after bedtime!

Does anyone fancy joining in?

Chai. 6lbs in 3 weeks is great! Well done! Any secrets to share? 😎

Ah sorry Mindful, I’ve just tried googling it and if you search creamy leek and mushroom pie (vegan) it comes up, on wallflowerkitchen.com.

Can I join? I feel like a lot of the OPs here.

Also, someone recommended in an old thread a book to help quit drinking, a bit like the Allen Carr to quit smoking.
Does anyone remember which book it is?

Thanks!

Perfect timing for me!
I have been in a very bad depressed, imbibed state for the past 9 months since I quit my job.
I've also had a health investigation hanging over me which has now been completed and I'm good to go!

I have put on a stone and a bit (8 kilos) in those 9 months.
I went from going to the gym daily, to never leaving the house.
Last Tuesday, I got the push I needed to tackle the mess I'm in.

So, I've been walking daily (short bouts) and today I went back to the gym to a Tone & Shape class. I couldn't even do a bloody plank! FFS, I was shocked at how unfit I've become. And even more shocked at just how fit I was 9 months ago!!

Anyway, I've done it before, I can do it again.

My demon is drink. I have a drink problem but have had an appointment with the alcohol service and another meeting with them tomorrow. My aim is to vastly cut down - which I've been managing successfully for the past week.

Foodwise I'm bought a George Foreman grill which is being delivered this evening. I rarely eat breakfast, so had a chicken & stuffing sambo for lunch and will have a grilled pork chop with side salad for dinner. Drink of choice for this evening will be gin & slimline tonic (was previous drinking gallons of cider )

My flat has gone to the dogs, but so far I have spring cleaned my bedroom and the kitchen. Bathroom is on the agenda for today.

This morning I managed to sort 9 months of paperwork/filing and now just have to file them into their respective folders.

Have to ring a plumber about strange noise in bathroom, and that's another thing ticked off.

Haven't had a hair trim in a year so that's on the agenda tomorrow - I can't face looking at my bloated pudgy face in the mirror to endure a haircut today.

Hoping the muscles won't be in too bad of pain tomorrow and if not, I will go to Bootcamp class at 11.15 am, then I have the addiction/alcohol service appointment at 1pm.

Oh - also have to ring dentist today!

Have to pop to shops again also, so that should keep me occupied for a few more hours until I will sit down and reward myself with my gin - look - any improvement is huge for me - as I had been drinking all day every day

OP - just a tip that I find useful for moisturising, is I put the moisturiser on when I'm still wet in the shower! A, you use less, B, it takes seconds as it spreads thinly and quickly. You might find that helps if you're in a hurry and don't have 5 minutes to slather yourself - better a little bit than none at all I say!

Other changes I've made is making use of my hard copy diary and also writing daily To-do lists. EVERYTHING goes on the list, right down to Brush Teeth, take inhaler, make bed etc. It's just SO satisfying to cross things off, no matter how minor they are.

And the other thing I'm doing is taking my meds regularly - I was skipping days, not taking half the ones I should be taking etc.

Also trying to tie down my sleep routine - due to the erratic nature of all day drinking, my sleeping pattern had been on a 'when you fall unconscious' basis, so am trying to stick to a set bed-time.

Am also back on the water - I put lemons in and leave in a jug in the fridge - tastes nicer than plain water I think.

Despite my dramatic changes in the past week, I haven't even shifted a pound of weight! Just keep on trucking I suppose!

Thanks for starting this thread and hope you don't mind having a resident alco join in..... There's always one!

Hi everyone, I would love to join, I'm going back to work tomorrow after 2.5 weeks off including two weeks away so it's great timing for me. Thanks for starting it @ClownTent.
I'm determined to be organised with work lunches and snacks as it saves time and money, and I eat much more healthily that way, so I have a corner of the fridge with all my food for work together in it, I just need to make my sandwich tomorrow morning and pop everything into my bag.

No secrets really, I think a lot of that 6lb was from bloating... I've been loosely low carbing,because that seems to be what works for me best. I was constantly starving at first, but not so much now

What's on your lunch menu @Thatsnotmybaby

I haven’t caught up on the rest of the thread but wanted to pop on and update. Today I have -

Food - porridge, banana and orange juice for breakfast. Scrambled egg and beans on toast with sweet corn for lunch. A packet of crisps at 3pm and veggie curry and rice for dinner.

Exercise - 25 squats, 40 leg lifts, 7,588 steps.

House - all rooms plus garden tidied and cleaned!

Money - milk, rice and a postcard for DS because he loves the ones with trains on.

Something nice - went to the parents information evening at DS’ new school (starting nursery in September) and loved it. It reminded me why I love teaching and prompted me to consider going back!

@Clowntent you're like a one woman machine! Well done.

My greatest achievement today is being awake since 7am, so I may actually sleep at a normal hour tonight.

I have managed to do most on my To-Do list. I even managed some ironing. Have cleaned the bathroom toilet and bath; windowsill, sink and floor still to be bleached. There's always a tomorrow and it's not as if a MIL is rocking up imminently. That said, since I reported the noise in the bathroom, the council lady has ordered a surveyor to come around asap as she couldn't believe the noise it's making. So I probably should polish off the bathroom in the morning in case he arrives tomorrow!

Got George Foreman but my pork chop isn't thawed yet, so I can't cook it. Not hungry anyway. Feel full and stomach is blown up like a balloon. It's tough going when you're not seeing any results from all your hard work. I guess I need to redouble my efforts.

Legs are tired but I stretched well after class today so hopefully won't have aches tomorrow and will be able for bootcamp.

Should be a busy day tomorrow which suits me best. I'm at my worst when I'm nothing to do.

@Cassort wow! Go girl! You sound like a woman on a mission. Wishing you the best of luck! If you're looking for further support, google 30 day alcohol Experiment.

I have taken drastic action last night and went to first of three hypnotherapy sessions. She's helping me change my relationship with crisps and wine.

Working full time is a pain in the ass. Would much rather be home sorting out stuff in my head and home. Anyone care to sponsor me ?

Hello everyone that’s joined!
cassort it sounds like you’ve got a lot going on but it’s amazing that you’ve gone to get support and for having such a successful day yesterday.

DP dropped a bit of a bombshell yesterday evening. He runs his own business and owns his own house (this one) having bought it before I came into his life. Turns out he’s been masking his finances and he’s got less than three months before he can’t make his mortgage/debt repayments. He slept like a baby last night while I’ve been up all hours.

We’ve got a short term action plan and some looser long term ones but, fuck me, I could strangle him.

ANYWAY

Today I will -

Food - stick to the same style as yesterday, three meals plus ‘healthier’ snack.

Exercise - squats plus leg lifts plus steps. We had planned to go for an ‘adventure’ with DS today, up to a small lake in the mountains, but I don’t know if I can bear to look at dp long enough.

Money - no spend day again today. My finances are separate to DPs.

House - just general maintenance today, thanks to yesterday.

Self care - moisturise after shower, need to burn off moustache.

Something nice - was supposed to be ‘adventure.’ Will do something with DS anyway.

I hope you’re all on track for a good day!!

So far today:
Had granola, mixed seeds and blueberries for breakfast.
Been on an hours walk in the hills with the dog.
Going to get some housework done now.
Putting on my pilates DVD later, will probably do 15 minutes of it.

@cassort I have bagels and peanut butter for elevenses for the week, a leftover roast chicken and ham sandwich for lunch today along with salad for the week, and I have raspberries for an afternoon snack. I need to pop out at lunchtime and buy yoghurt and granola to add to the raspberries. I know that sounds like a lot but I'm always hungry!

I also ironed all my clothes last night so I'm organised ish for work clothes for the week.

I need to order suncream today, I'm all out of my favourite brand.

It sounds like you’re having a good day missy and you’re menu for the day sounds delicious thatsnotmybaby!

I had a Glamorgan sausage bap for brunch and I had an apple about an hour ago. We took DS for a walk to the park and the lake and then we’ve just got back from another park that we have to walk through the mountains too, so just under 7k steps so far.

I’m feeling very uninspired for dinner... anyone got any ideas?? I’ve got potatoes, onions, carrots, lettuce, cucumber and spring onions, cauliflower, cabbage, no oven

I’m thinking bubble and squeak...

Didn't sleep until late last night thanks to arguing on an utterly stupid thread on here until the early hours! I'm seriously going to ration my MN time - it's such a fucking waste of time and headspace! So annoyed with myself. I wouldn't mind if it was actually a topic I was particularly interested in lol.

Therefore, didn't get up in time to make bootcamp.

Still haven't made my dental appointment. TO DO.

Did get to alcohol support group. Tick! All men in the group but seemed nice - there was even a cutie there!

Walked home (50 min walk). Thighs are painful from class yesterday so have taken paracetamol and nurofen! Pilates tomorrow which shouldn't do as much damage.

Food: Just had rye bread, butter, pork slices and mustard. And a grand cuppa tae!

Ordered a coffee maker, so going to go into town to collect that now. After I finish cleaning the bathroom.

Will have turkey steaks and salad for dinner. Wine is drink of choice this evening - hopefully not the full bottle!

Still haven't lost an ounce of weight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey all, hope everyone is well, that's a bombshell and a half @ClownTent!!

I had (boring) sandwiches at work yesterday, did buy a soup from the deli because I was really really cold. Dinner was savoury mince and chips - I've warned DH to buckle up buttercup because we are having a clear out and some very random meals are coming his way this week!

Did a load of washing, it's all on the airer and I'll finish it in the drier when I get home and PUT IT AWAY IMMEDIATELY.

Need to get spuds and mayo from shop.

I had no wine last night, I had a few G&Ts but that's a massive improvement, it would usually be a bottle of wine AND the G&Ts.

@ClownTent with those ingredients I'd be making some soup, but it's been so warm recently who wants soup!

Could you make a thick country veggie soup and have with bread rolls and salad or something?

Lol - @Defender90 - we appear to be cut from the same cloth!

@Cassort I was scrolling back to find your username to say exactly the same thing!!

You both sound like you’re smashing it particularly jealous of the mince and chips haha.

I raided the freezer in the end and have pulled out some red pepper soup for me and DP and I know we’ve got some frozen rolls in there too. DS can have leftover curry from yesterday and then there’s still enough for me to use for my work lunch on Saturday

Bloody roll on tomorrow when I a) get paid and b) SHOULD receive a (very small) sum of money of inheritance from my father. That has to be split between me DB and our half sister, but every little helps!

Out of that, I’ll be buying a bloody heating element for the oven and then watching YouTube tutorials so I can fix it. I didn’t realise how much my ‘quick and simple’ meals rely on an oven - frittatas/baked sweet potato etc.

Soooo today I have

Food -Glamorgan sausage bap apple, red pepper soup with a bit of cheese and two slices of buttered toast.

Exercise - 7460 steps, 25 squats, 40 leg lifts

House - watered garden, general tidying round

Money - no spend day

Self care - moisturised after shower.

Something nice - one of DPs options is to take a 6 month contract in the UAE, starting October. I’ve seen a mon-fri holiday in one of my favourite places for £189 in January for me and DS and if my inheritance comes through tomorrow I’m going to pay the deposit!

I hope you’ve all had a good day.

Evening troops!

Slept terribly last night after a bit of an online kerfuffle but two black coffees and a berocca and away we went.

Sandwiches from home from lunch.

Text from DH suggesting a TA for dinner. I was powerless.

Tired today after being unwell yesterday evening but made it to work with my hair freshly washed and blowdried and my lunch with me so quite pleased with that.

@Thatsnotmybaby well done, it's SO easy to dry shampoo and grab a quick bite.

I am going to dye my hair this weekend.

I’ve not been around because, frankly, I’m embarrassed at what I’ve been eating. Truly disgusting. I’ve tried harder today though.

Food - smoothie for breakfast, finished off DS’ Apple mid morning, cheese and chutney sandwich for lunch, homemade fish cakes with mayo and cucumber for dinner.

Exercise - currently 6644k steps but after bedtime I’ve promised myself I’ll do a YouTube dance video. DP is at his mums again so can’t get out this evening.

House - will throw all the toys in their boxes after bedtime but it’s still in pretty good shape after Monday.

Self care - MUST DO MOUSTACHE

Something nice - whole day actually. I watched DS’ friend for the morning, so we went to the park for 9am, then to the lake, then to another lake and the local steam train. We met his mum for lunch and then me and DS were home for 2ish. I sunbathed while he watched noddy inside for a while, had dinner and now having a cuddle before bedtime!